“Ain’t neither one of us the kind to run from problems.” He stood up, wiped the table one more time, and set his chair on it. “Polly didn’t mention mopping, did she?”

“Just a quick damp mop if there’s spills, but I don’t see any tonight. She’s got a cleaning lady that does that on Sunday when the place is closed. She takes care of the deep cleaning. All we have to do is sweep up every night.”

“I’ll put the broom up and get our coats,” Sawyer said.

* * *

It was almost midnight when they reached the bunkhouse, and Jill melted into the corner of the sofa. “Just ten minutes, and then I’m going to take you up on borrowing your shower before I go to bed.”

Sawyer went straight to the kitchen. There was only enough leftover coffee for one cup, so he popped it into the microwave. Then he cut a piece of pie big enough for two people and put it on one plate, along with two small pieces of chocolate cake. When the microwave dinged, he picked up the plate with one hand and the coffee with the other.

“We’re sharing. I couldn’t carry three things.” He sat down right next to her and handed her the coffee.

She put it on the end table and picked up one of the forks, ate two bites of pie, and shook her head. “I’m too tired to eat.”

“I could feed it to you.”

“I’m too tired to chew.”

“Then you are on your own. I’m not doing that for you,” he said.

She laid her head over on his shoulder and stretched out her legs until her feet were resting on the well-used coffee table. “Looks like lots of boots have been propped up on that table.”

Youaregettingmightyfriendlythere, her inner voice chided. Youneversnuggleduptoamanthisquickbefore. Better watch out, or you’ll be making another mistake.

Hush, she argued. We’re just friends, and he already gave me a foot massage. This is resting, not flirting.

“Yep, it does look like lots of cowboys have come through this bunkhouse and done just what you’re doing. This pie is amazing. I’ll just eat all of it, since you are too tired to eat,” he said.

“Enjoy. I could sleep right here all night.”

“After our last twenty-four hours, it is pretty nice to be in a peaceful place where Gallaghers and Brennans aren’t welcome.”

“Let’s make a pact.” She yawned. “Even if you like one of those brazen hussies who got a beer bath tonight, don’t bring them into the bunkhouse.”

He kissed her on the forehead. “And if you fall for one of those sumbitches, you don’t bring them here either.”

She snuggled down tighter. “I’m not going to fall for one of them, but I promise I won’t bring anyone into our sanctuary.”

“Me, either,” he said.

Chapter 5

Jill found it impossible to keep a few inches of space between her and Quaid. That side of the church was packed with Brennan families, settled into the pews so tight that daylight couldn’t get between them. If church services lasted past the customary hour, she feared she’d smother plumb to death right there on the fourth pew between Quaid and Kinsey.

“We’re so glad you are coming to Sunday dinner,” Kinsey whispered. “It’s been a long time since my cousin was interested in someone. We’ll have to talk about him later, and I’ll tell you how sweet and kind and wonderful he is.”

Quaid leaned over and spoke softly in her other ear. “You were such a big help in the Sunday school class. I sure wish you would consent to help me out every Sunday. The girls in there really took to you.”

“I need to get settled in before I make any commitments, but thank you for making me feel so welcome,” she said.

The section on the other side of the church was filled to capacity too. She was thinking about Sawyer and how lucky he was that he hadn’t gotten roped into Sunday school, church, and dinner when she looked past him sitting in the center section. She was actually looking for red hair to see if Betsy came to church that morning, when Tyrell caught her eye. His bright smile and sly wink reminded her that the day was still young.

The Sunday school secretary took his place behind the podium, held up a hand, and all conversation stopped. “We broke our Sunday school attendance record this morning. We haven’t had this many people in church since the Christmas programs more than a decade ago. I’m hoping you all made it your New Year’s resolution to attend church every Sunday this year.” He went on to tell about the Sunday school offering that morning and to make the announcements for the past week concerning births and deaths. Then he covered the events for the coming week: visits to the nursing home in Gainesville, a youth rally in the middle of the week that included supper in the fellowship hall, a baby shower, and a wedding shower.

Jill caught Sawyer’s gaze when the man mentioned the youth rally. The unspoken message couldn’t be clearer. Thank God she had agreed to help man the bar all week. That would give her a damn fine excuse for not going to the rally. As if on cue, Kinsey cupped her hand over Jill’s ear and said, “I’m one of the supervisors of the youth group. I’d love to have your help at the rally. Quaid and I get pretty rushed at these things.”

Jill mouthed, “I have to work.”

“We could find someone else to help Sawyer at the bar for one night,” Kinsey pressed.

Jill shook her head. “Sorry, but I can’t do that.”

Kinsey pouted. “But I thought you could bring one of your apple pies.”

Jill stuck to her guns. “Can’t.”

Two days and the whole town already knew about her baking skills. Holy hell, by the end of the week would they know what color underbritches she wore and where she ordered them from?

It was the music director’s turn next. A tall, willowy blond, with big brown doe eyes and a red knit dress that left little room for underwear and even less to the imagination, took her place behind the podium. “Some of you might not have heard the news, but Polly Cleary broke her ankle yesterday. She’ll be in the hospital a couple of more days, and then she’ll be staying with Gladys for a while. Keep her in your prayers. Now let’s sing ‘Victory Ahead’ before the sermon is delivered.”

Jill’s eyes settled on Sawyer while she sang that by faith she saw victory ahead. Would he stand his ground with those two women, or would they wear him down? Just how strong was he when it came to determined women? She felt sympathy for him, almost as much as for herself. By summer, he might be wishing she had shot him when they first met.

She was glad there wouldn’t be test questions on the sermon that morning, because she hadn’t heard half a dozen words. She thought he mentioned something about starting over, and she did hear the name Ruth a few times, so possibly she could fake her way through part of the test if it meant going to heaven or being sent straight to hell. She spent most of the time stealing glances over toward Sawyer. Eight times he’d been looking at her at the same time. Three of those he grinned; two of them he winked. It gave her confidence that she could get through the day and that tomorrow would start a brand-new week. Hopefully with no Gallaghers or Brennans to plague them.

* * *

“Back the truck in slow like, right up to the chute. Me and Hart will herd them into the truck. Won’t take thirty minutes,” Eli Gallagher said.

Randy nodded. “This is the first job Granny has trusted us with. Y’all better not mess it up. She said every single one of them hogs, babies and all, was to go in this truck. I’ll get parked right up next to the chute and come help y’all herd them, but I’m tellin’ you, if there’s a single problem, I’ll whip both y’all’s asses.”

“Hey, you’re the youngest one of us, so don’t try to be the big boss man. We’re in this together, and we ain’t makin’ no mistakes. Granny said that we got to be in Salt Holler by the time the benediction is done at church this mornin’, and on our way to Mingus by the time the Brennans realize their hogs are gone,” Hart said. “Now back her up easy-like, and we’ll make Granny proud.”